Save Susiya

Save Susiya

Image found at susiyaforever.wordpress.com
On May 5 2015, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled to allow the army to demolish the entire village of Susiya and expel its residents, numbering around 340 men, women and children. Representatives of the Israeli Military’s “Civil Administration” informed residents of Susiya of their intent to demolish at least part of the village before an appeal of Susiya’s case in the High Court, to be heard on August 3rd. Susiya leaders submitted a plan to the Israeli Civil Administration (ICA) but it was rejected with the response that: “the villagers would be better off living somewhere else.”Israeli officials have said that they are planning to demolish the village soon after Ramadan ends. Which is why we have to act now!
Read more about the demolition of Susiya here.
the plan to evict the entire village of Susiya, in the South Hebron hills, is reflective of the current policy of settlement, expansion and relocation in area C of the West Bank, including the politically sensitive E1 area, East of Jerusalem. Plans to E1 involve the forcible transfer of as many as 7,000 Palestinians from 46 communities in the West Bank in order to expand the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. Such a move would destroy any chance of a viable Palestinian state by effectively cutting the West Bank in two. The UN Secretary-General has said that if this plan goes ahead it will be in violation of international law and represent a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Further information can be found here.Development plans for the E1 area were instigated by Yitzchak Rabin in 1994, but have been hindered since then due to Palestinian resistance and international pressure. International pressure has prevented these demolitions for over 20 years, lets do it again!Contact the Australian Israeli representative office. details and sample letter below.
You can also sign the Jewish Voice for Peace petition to U.S Secretary of State John Kerry.
Embassy of Israel in Australia:
6 Turrana Street, Yarralumla ACT 2600.
info@canberra.mfa.gov.il
Tel: +61 2 6215 4500
Fax: +61 2 6215 4555
Sample letter:

Dear Honorable Mr Shmuel Ben-Shmuel; Ambassador of Israel
I am writing to you concerning the imminent demolition of homes in the Palestinian village of Susiya. Around 340 men, women and children who live on this land are facing this threat just as their holy month of Ramadan comes to an end. Not only do the villagers of Susiya hold undisputed title to their land, the Israeli High Court is meant to hear their petition (filed by Rabbis for Human Rights) on August 3rd. To destroy their homes before this appeal is considered not only sets a dangerous precedent, but is an affront to the justice and fairness that are meant to be the very foundations of law and order.
The village submitted a master plan to the Civil Administration in an attempt to follow the established process in order to participate in the planning of their own community and were denied this right. To then destroy the very structures currently sustaining them and providing them the most basic of needs—shelter, communal space, a place within which to eat and sleep and live—is unjust, unfair and simply cruel.
As a concerned citizen of the world, I am shocked and dismayed that Israel continues to enforce such discriminatory policies. I am asking that you take a moment to consider the repercussions of this destruction, and act to stop it before it’s too late. I ask you to recognize Susiya’s democratic and human right to plan their future and remain standing on the land they own.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours truly,

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